Match Preview: NRL Round 3 vs Sharks

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Thu 21 Mar 2024, 01:20 PM

Wests Tigers will play their first home game of the season on Saturday when they welcome Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to Leichhardt Oval in NRL Multicultural Round.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 23 Mar

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Sharks

Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Highlights Latest

The team is aiming to improve in a few key areas after a slow start and ill-discipline proved costly in last weekend’s 32-12 loss to the Raiders in Canberra.

The Sharks will arrive at the ‘eighth wonder’ full of confidence after winning their opening two games of the season against the Warriors and Bulldogs, conceding just three tries in those two games.

Justin Olam to make his first NRL appearance for Wests Tigers

The home side will be boosted by the inclusion of powerful centre Justin Olam, who will play his first game for the club and become Wests Tigers Player #281.

Another change to the lineup sees Aidan Sezer start at halfback after coming off the bench against the Raiders. The home side is hoping Sezer’s experience will benefit rookie five-eighth Lachlan Galvin who impressed in his NRL debut last weekend.

Sezer handed the No. 7 jersey after coming off the bench in Canberra

The other change to the side which was slow out of the gates in Canberra brings middle forward Fonua Pole into the run-on side, with Alex Seyfarth shifting to the bench.

Sione Katoa celebrates after scoring a try against the Bulldogs in Round 2

For the Sharks Jack Williams comes into the second row replacing suspended forward Brit Nikora, while prop Royce Hunt has been added to the bench.

The Sharks are aiming to start a season 3-0 for the first time since 2002.

On paper, the numbers don’t make great reading for Wests Tigers fans, with their team winning just once in the past 11 meetings against the Sharks.

Good thing games aren’t won on paper.

Let’s Go! Show Your Stripes.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 23 Mar

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Jack Williams
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jayden Sullivan

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Dale Finucane
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Billy Burns
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Asu Kepaoa

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Kayal Iro

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 4/2/2024 5:06:14 AM

Fast Facts:

The Sharks have not been beaten at Leichhardt Oval since 2014.
The Wests Tigers play their first game at Leichhardt since their 66-18 defeat of the Cowboys in 2023.
Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored five tries in two games against the Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored seven tries in three games against the Sharks.

Stats supplied by David Middleton